India’s anti-terror agency investigates Delhi car blast that killed 12, with police linking suspects to Pakistan-based Jaish-e-Mohammed and Al-Qaeda affiliates.
NEW DELHI: India’s anti-terrorism agency is leading the third day of investigations into a deadly car blast in the capital as the death toll rose to 12.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi has called Monday evening’s explosion a “conspiracy” and vowed that those responsible will face justice.
Police have not yet provided exact details about what caused the intense explosion near the historic Red Fort in crowded Old Delhi.
The blast occurred near one of India’s most well-known landmarks and the site of the prime minister’s annual Independence Day speech.
This marks the most significant security incident since April 22, when 26 mainly Hindu civilians were killed at the tourist site of Pahalgam in Indian-administered Kashmir.
“Twelve people have died and more than 30 are injured,” said Ritu Saxena, chief medical officer of Delhi’s LNJP hospital.
India’s National Investigation Agency is leading the probe into the explosion that came hours after police announced arrests of a gang.
Police said they seized explosive materials and assault rifles during the arrests.
The arrested men were linked with Jaish-e-Mohammed, a Pakistan-based Islamist group, and Ansar Ghazwat-ul-Hind, a Kashmir offshoot of Al-Qaeda.
India lists both groups as terrorist organisations.
Home Minister Amit Shah chaired security talks following Monday’s blast and instructed officials “to hunt down each and every culprit behind this incident”. – AFP
